PET-CT Fusion Imaging

　　What is PET-CT Fusion Imaging?

　　PET-CT scanning is an innovative technology that combines two different imaging procedures: positron emission tomography （PET） and computed tomography （CT）. Both imaging apparatus work in perfect tandem and display every detail of the body’s inner workings – after just one scan. 

　　Positron emission tomography renders visible the metabolic processes which take place in the body’s cells: on the PET image the highly active cancer cells show up as gleaming dots and so even small tumours no larger than are easily discernible on the screen. However， determining their exact location with PET is often difficult. This is where computed tomography comes in: the speciality of this imaging procedure is displaying tissue structures.

　　The combination of two imaging procedures in one PET-CT scanner allows：

　　1.The exact diagnosis of even the smallest cancer sites.
　　2.To closely monitor the course of the disease.
　　3.Early detection and immediate treatment in case the disease recursan .
　　4.Optimised therapy design: after only two weeks it is possible to reliably determine the efficacy of， say， a chemotherapy. This helps to save costs and improve the patients’ quality of life since an intensive but ineffective therapy can be discontinued sooner and changed for an effective one.